Mastering Image Masking In Paint: A Step-By-Step Guide

Layer masks are a valuable tool for image editing, allowing users to hide or reveal parts of an image without permanently deleting any content. This technique is particularly useful when combining multiple images or removing objects or people from a photo. In this guide, we will explore how to mask parts of an image in Paint by leveraging layer masks and other tools to achieve the desired effect. We will cover the steps involved in selecting the area to be masked, choosing the appropriate mask type, and adjusting mask settings to fine-tune your results. By the end, you should be able to confidently mask specific areas of your images in Paint while preserving the flexibility to make changes later.

Using the 'Layer Mask' option in the 'Layer' menu

Layer masks are a nondestructive way to hide parts of an image or layer without erasing them. They are useful for creating image composites, modifying background colours, removing objects, and targeting edits to specific areas. Layer masks are grayscale images, where the areas painted in black are hidden, the areas painted in white are visible, and the areas painted in shades of grey appear in various levels of transparency.

To use the Layer Mask option in the Layer menu, first select the layer in the Layer palette and create a selection area of the part you want to keep or hide. You can do this by going to the Layer menu and selecting Layer Mask, then choosing either Mask Selection or Mask Outside Selection. A layer mask thumbnail will appear next to the layer, with the visible area shown in white and the masked area in black.

You can also use the Mask Outside Selection icon on the Layer palette to create a layer mask. If you create a layer mask without any selection area, a mask will be created for the entire layer. Mask Outside Selection masks the entire layer, while Mask Selection creates a layer mask with no areas masked.

To duplicate the mask, Alt-drag (Win) or Option-drag (Mac) the mask to the other layer. To delete a layer mask, select Layer Menu > Layer Mask > Delete Mask while selecting the layer mask thumbnail. You can also right-click the layer mask icon and choose Delete Mask from the context menu.

You can also temporarily hide a layer mask without deleting it by disabling it in the Layer menu. To toggle the layer linking on and off, tap the check mark on the Layer palette, or go to Layer Menu > Layer Mask > Link Mask to Layer.

Drawing on the mask layer

Layer masks are used to hide parts of a layer. They can be used to hide unnecessary parts of an image without erasing them, or to limit the area of fill layers and gradient layers. Layer masks are resolution-dependent bitmap images that are edited with painting or selection tools. Vector masks, on the other hand, are resolution-independent and are created with a pen or shape tool. Both layer and vector masks are nondestructive, meaning you can always go back and re-edit the masks without losing the pixels they hide.

To mask a layer, first select the layer in the Layer palette and create a selection area of the part you want to keep or hide. Then, use the Layer menu > Layer Mask > Mask Selection or Mask Outside Selection. A layer mask thumbnail will appear next to the layer with the visible area shown in white and the masked area shown in black. You can also use the Mask Outside Selection icon on the Layer palette to create a layer mask. If you create a layer mask without any selection area, a mask will be created for the entire layer.

Once you have created a layer mask, you can draw on the mask layer to make adjustments. To mask more of the layer, draw on the mask layer with an Eraser tool or any drawing tool set to transparency. To uncover more of the layer, draw on the mask layer with any colour. You can also use gradients to partially mask areas. To do this, go to the Layer Property palette for the layer mask and ensure that Mask Expression > Show gradients is set to Yes. When masking with gradients is turned off, using a colour above a specified opacity will fully mask the area.

You can also adjust the threshold in the Layer Property palette > Mask Expression > Threshold. Additionally, you can toggle the layer linking on and off by tapping the check mark on the Layer palette, or by going to the Layer menu > Layer Mask > Link Mask to Layer. This allows you to move the layer and its mask independently or together. By default, newly created masks are linked to their respective layers.

Masking selections or entire layers

Layer masks are used to hide parts of a layer without deleting them. This can be useful when you want to hide unnecessary parts of an image or layer, or when you want to limit the area of fill layers and gradient layers. You can mask selections or entire layers, depending on your needs.

To mask a selection or entire layer in Clip Studio Paint, first select the layer in the Layer palette and create a selection area of the part you want to keep or hide. You can do this by using the Layer menu and selecting Layer Mask, then choosing either Mask Selection or Mask Outside Selection. A layer mask thumbnail will appear next to the layer, with the visible area shown in white and the masked area shown in black. If you create a layer mask without any selection area, a mask will be automatically generated for the entire layer.

You can also use the Mask Outside Selection icon on the Layer palette to create a layer mask. Drawing on the mask layer with an Eraser tool or any drawing tool set to transparency will mask more of the layer. To uncover more of the layer, simply draw on the mask layer with any colour. You can even use gradients to partially mask areas by going to the Layer Property palette and ensuring that Mask Expression > Show gradients is enabled.

Additionally, you can adjust the opacity of a mask to control how much of the masked content is visible. You can also invert or refine the mask borders to suit your needs. Layer masks are linked to their respective layers by default, but you can toggle this linking on and off in the Layer palette or through the Layer Mask option in the Layer menu.

In Microsoft Paint, there is no direct way to create masks for selections or entire layers. However, you can cover parts of an image by laying a shape over it and then applying colouring and effects to make the shape blend in with the rest of the picture.

Using the 'Mask Outside Selection' icon

The Mask Outside Selection icon in the Layer palette is used to create a layer mask. When you create a layer mask without any selection area, a mask is created for the entire layer. This means that the Mask Outside Selection option masks the entire layer, while the Mask Selection option creates a layer mask with no areas masked.

To use the Mask Outside Selection icon, first ensure that you have created a layer mask. You can do this by selecting the Layer menu, then selecting Layer Mask, and choosing Show Mask Area to display the masked area in purple. Alternatively, you can use the Add Layer Mask button in the Layers panel.

Once you have created your layer mask, you can use the Mask Outside Selection icon to mask the entire layer. This will allow you to hide or reveal parts of the layer. To delete a layer mask, select the Layer menu, choose Layer Mask, and then select Delete Mask. You can also right-click on the layer mask icon and choose Delete Mask from the context menu.

After creating the layer mask, you can edit the masked area using drawing tools. To do this, tap on the layer mask icon and make your desired changes. To mask more of the layer, use an Eraser tool or any drawing tool set to transparency. To uncover more of the layer, draw on the mask layer with any colour.

Using the 'Mask All Objects' feature

The "Mask All Objects" feature in Photoshop is a quick and easy way to create layer masks for all detected objects in a layer. It automatically generates mask layer groups, placing each detected object on a separate layer. This feature is useful when you want to edit specific objects within an image without affecting the rest of the layer.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the "Mask All Objects" feature:

• Open your image in Photoshop.
• Go to the "Layers" tab.
• Select the layer containing the objects you want to mask.
• Use the "Mask All Objects" command. This will automatically create layer masks for each detected object.
• You will now see multiple mask layer groups, with each object on its own layer and one mask for the entire group of objects.
• To edit the masks, use the painting or selection tools. Paint with black to hide areas, white to reveal areas, and shades of gray for various levels of transparency.
• You can also adjust the opacity of the masks to control how much of the masked content is visible.
• By targeting specific layers, you can apply edits such as Generative Fill, adjustments, or filters to individual objects.

Remember that layer masking is nondestructive, so you can always go back and re-edit the masks without losing the original pixels. This feature is a powerful tool for compositing images, removing objects, modifying background colors, and making precise edits to your photographs.

Frequently asked questions